Volunteer is still shocked

– Ben Hope
PAKENHAM resident Helen McRae is still shocked by the devastation of the 2009 fires and how close they came to the town.
“I recently took my kids for a drive to show them how close the fires came and it still brings tears to my eyes when I see the properties that were lost,” Ms McRae said.
Following the fires Ms McRae volunteered with the Bayles Fire Brigade, helping to rebuild some of the thousands of miles of fencing that were destroyed on local properties.
“I went out on Saturday and Sundays for about a month, pulling down burnt fences and helping to clean up,” Ms McRae said.
“It was important for farmers to be able to get their stock back under control. I couldn’t believe the amount of fencing that was lost.”
Ms McRae also spent time visiting affected properties to deliver hampers and talk to people about their experiences.
“I ended up doing random doorknocks with hampers filled with scones and cakes to farms that had been burnt out,” she said.
“It was a really rewarding experience, especially seeing the expression on some people’s faces when they opened their doors and realised there were people who weren’t affected by the fires who cared about what had happened. Some were reduced to tears.”
“Everyone had their own story to tell about the fire and how it affected them, I think it was good for them to air their story and talk about it with someone.”
Ms McRae remembers one farmer in his late sixties whose farm had been burnt out except for his house.
“His family came from the city to lend a hand but he wasn’t aware there was any other help available,” Ms McRae said.
“I put him on to the group of volunteers who were able to come out and help him with the clean-up.”
“The fires completely changed my perspective of community. When people are in need it is amazing how a community can rally together and rise to the occasion.”
Ms McRae said she was grateful for the local businesses that also helped out, including her employer Norm’s Main Street Meats, who donated sausages and hamburgers for the exhausted volunteers.
“It was a case of volunteers helping people and local business helping the volunteers,” Ms McRae said.
“It was great to see local communities and businesses rally together and help as it is the little things that can often make such a big difference.”